More letters to the editor, 12/09

Beretta will be fiscally responsible

Finally, we in the Arlington Fire District (AFD) have the privilege of electing a fiscally responsible fire commissioner who knows that safety and rapid response are primary. Jim Beretta, whose name must be written in, has attended fire commissioner meetings for years; he is logical, bright and understands how excellent service at lower cost can be provided.

Fire taxes in the AFD have received much publicity because they are out of control. Many are aware that several vehicles purchased new sat idle in the AFD parking lot for years. The fire taxes on my modest home exceed $1,600 a year and are rising again. In neighboring towns, with excellent services, taxes on similar homes are 75 percent less.

Fire district elections get little publicity. They are held in busy, cold December. We vote only for election commissioner and not for the budget or what to purchase. Hours for voting are very limited. There are no advertisements about elections, no public candidate information. By basically electing themselves and monitoring themselves, fire commissioners, capable or not, maintain uncontrolled power.

Jim Beretta has attended meetings regularly for years. He knows the strengths and the problems of our district. He can build a healthier system.

Remember to exercise your bit of power by writing in the name of Jim Beretta for fire commissioner in the AFD when you vote this Tuesday, between 6 and 9 p.m. Your vote can be the difference.

And with all this, the budget contributes nothing to any reserve funds for the third year in a row, deepening Fairview's long-term financial crisis. Although I'm not aware of any waste of taxpayer money, Fairview's budget document is, to put it politely, unintelligible.

A major reason for Fairview's financial problems is that more than half of Fairview's market value, including Marist College, St. Francis Hospital, Dutchess Community College and numerous smaller institutions, are exempt from fire tax. These institutions make small voluntary contributions to the Fairview Fire District, but if they contributed more, it would reduce the financial burden on struggling taxpayers.

After studying Fairview's problems for four years and documenting my findings at TaxBlog.BillRubin.info, I've decided to run for fire commissioner in Fairview. If you live in Fairview and are a registered voter, you can vote for me on Tuesday, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Fairview Fire House, 258 Violet Ave., Poughkeepsie.

I cannot promise to single-handedly solve Fairview's fire tax problems, but I will work to get greater contributions from the nonprofit institutions, and to produce an intelligible budget.

Bill Rubin

Poughkeepsie

Support Buechele for commissioner

On Tuesday, from 6-9 p.m., there will be an election at the Fairview Fire House on Violet Avenue in Poughkeepsie for two fire commissioners, open to all registered voters residing in the Fairview Fire District.

There are two candidates for an open three-year term seat, and a candidate running unopposed for the five-year seat.

As a taxpayer in the Fairview Fire District, I support Virginia Buechele (pronounced Beaklee) for re-election as fire commissioner and urge all eligible voters in the district to vote for her.

Ginny has been a much-needed friend to the taxpayers. In June of this year, she got Dutchess Community College to pay $10,000 to the fire district by calling attention to the fact that that the college had not made its minimal annual $5,000 donation to the district for either 2011 or 2012.

As fire commissioner, she has pushed the board for full public transparency in how this fire district is being managed.

Ginny has been a consistent voice for the taxpayers against unnecessary district expenditures causing the crushing fire tax burden on FFD homeowners.

In 2008 former commissioner John Anspach negotiated the current FFD Union contract which includes 3 percent annual raises and full medical benefits for firefighters and their families.

Since property taxes are the sole method of funding the district's expenses, the taxpayers of this district cannot afford to have this seat go to another district insider.

Vote for Virginia "Ginny" Buechele, the taxpayer's fire commissioner.

Kurt Hornick

Hyde Park

Crotty: A new approach needed

My name is Alan Crotty. I have resided in the Fairview Fire District for the past 28 years. I have placed my name on the ballot for commissioner and would like to introduce myself to the residents. Having served as volunteer chief of the department for several years I fully understand the challenges that face the district every day. I also feel that now is the time for a new approach to get the non-paying entities in the district to pay their fair share. I do not have a magic answer because there are none. Please do your part as a taxpaying citizen and get out and vote, whether it is for myself or my opponent; at least you have participated.

Alan Crotty

candidate for commissioner of the Fairview Fire District

Poughkeepsie

District prioritizes residents' safety

I am a volunteer firefighter with the Arlington Fire District and I wanted to express my feelings about the upcoming vote.

While I remain neutral on who is elected I wanted to point out the things that Arlington Fire District has done to better my volunteer career. During my time with the district I have received nothing but the best training by the very professional staff in which Arlington has. Fiscally I feel that the money is widespread and focuses on better serving you, the taxpayer.

Also I have noticed in my two years with the district a high increase in call volume. Without these paid firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and highly skilled paramedics the taxpayers would be facing much longer response times. Arlington Fire District has helped me become more equipped and better suited to be able to fight fires. If it was your house would you want two guys fighting the fire or six? Think about it and get out there and vote on Tuesday.

Brian Viola

volunteer firefighter

Poughkeepsie

Write in Beretta for commissioner

Write in Jim Beretta on the ballot for Commissioner for the Arlington Fire District on Tuesday's election at your firehouse. Present commissioners of AFD treat taxpayers as a cash machine. Jim Beretta is the most qualified candidate for the office both in financial and managerial affairs.

I have known Jim Beretta for many years on concerns relative to the Colburn Drive area. Jim is very community conscious. He attends town board, planning board and AFD meetings, has made the video recordings for broadcast on community TV and reports the AFD meetings in an email newsletter.

I have attended several department meetings attempting to get the commissioners to be more considerate of the tax load they are imposing on us. Examples include two vehicles the commissioners have purchased and never put into service, questionable property they purchased between the firehouse house and the Wappingers Creek. The fire district budget has increased from $5 million-plus in 2000 to more than $15 million this year.

AFD does not submit its budget to the citizens for approval - taxation without representation. Setting the election for only three hours on an evening in December makes it difficult for citizens to perform their responsibilities.

Write in Jim Beretta for commissioner of Arlington Fire Department on Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the firehouse on: Burnett Avenue for Wards 3, 4 and 6 and Vassar Road for Wards 1, 2 and 5.

Arthur E. Scott

Poughkeepsie

Thanks to those who came to aid

We are sending out a special thanks to all the responders who helped our family on Thanksgiving Day.

These individuals left their families to take care of ours on a holiday: Men and women of Pine Plains volunteer emergency medical services, Northern Dutchess paramedics, New York State Police, folks from the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, the Dutchess County Medical Examiner and Scott Conklin Funeral Home. We would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all who came to help us in our time of need.

Tara Charles

Lee and Sue Hutt

Pine Plains

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More letters to the editor, 12/09

Finally, we in the Arlington Fire District (AFD) have the privilege of electing a fiscally responsible fire commissioner who knows that safety and rapid response are primary.